Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV (Champagne, France) - [WS 93] [JS 93] [WA 92] [WE 92]

Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV
(Champagne, France) - [WS 93] [JS 93] [WA 92] [WE 92]


$125.00 $75.97 Save $49.03
/
WS93 JS93 WA92 WE92
Size
Pre-Order - ETA five business days from date of order
About the Winery:
The winery was founded in 1851 by 28-year-old Charles-Camille Heidsieck. The very next year he took the unusual step, at that time, of journeying to the United States to sell his Champagne. In fact, he was the first Champagne producer to visit the U.S.A.  "Champagne Charlie", as he became known, was a gracious gentleman and a born salesman, personally selling 300,000 bottles of his Champagne in the U.S. in one year! With a beginning like that, you would think that Charles Heidsieck would be a big-selling, well-known Champagne in the U.S. and throughout the world. But it is not.

The winery has undergone a number of changes of control during the 20th century and in 1985, Rémy Martin Cognac (a.k.a. Rémy-Cointreau) purchased both Champagnes Charles Heidsieck and Piper-Heidsieck(it had purchased Champagne Krug previously). Rémy-Cointreau's first move was to re-hire the brilliant Daniel Thibault in 1986 to be Chef de Caves for Charles Heidsieck. Régis Camus joined Charles Heidsieck as assistant winemaker in 1994 and has been the head winemaker of the House since 2002, since the untimely death of Daniel Thibault. In 2011, the winery was sold to the privately-owned French luxury goods group EPI founded by Christopher Descours (of Ralph Lauren fame).

Notes From The Winemaker:

COMPLEX THEREFORE INTRIGUING... IN CHARLES’ IMAGE. Particularly renowned for its unique aromatic signature, this non-vintage champagne delivers a complex and indulgent nose with a precise, yet luscious mouthfeel that testify to a quality that the world’s most accomplished tasters and aficionados can recognise blind.

THREE MAIN CRUS, ESSENTIAL TO CHARLES' SIGNATURE. Among the sixty Champagne crus chosen to make this emblematic cuvée, three are pillars of the Brut Réserve style: Oger (Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs) brings its fleshy and generous notes; Ambonnay (Grand Cru Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims) is synonymous with power, structure and fruity notes; and Verneuil (Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne), ensures its balance and its smooth texture.

Sophisticated combination of up to 150 still wines and strict selection of juices drawn exclusively from the 1st press.

The blend can exceed 50% of reserve wines, aged up to 20 years. A very high proportion compared to the 15-20% usual average of most direct competitors. Prolonged ageing of 3 to 4 years in chalk cellars, well beyond the norms of the region.

Discerning selection of some 60 crus from less than 20% of the Champagne crus.

BLEND: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier
VINIFICATION: cru by cru, varietal by varietal, in stainless steel vats 5 to 10% of wine vinified in old Burgundy oak barrels

Tasting Notes:
EYE: The Brut Réserve boasts a deep golden hue. Delicate, vivacious and long-lasting bubbles are the result of a long, slow maturing process in chalk cellars*.

NOSE: Thanks to 50% of reserve wines, the blend offers an elegant nose: freshly baked brioche, rich toasted notes and sun-drenched fruits - mango, apricot and mirabelle plum - accented by dried fruits, pistachio and almond.

PALATE: The texture is reminiscent of a crisp layer of nougatine on a velvety cream pastry, filled with plump red plums and ripe cherries. The selection of reserve wines gives the wine lushness. The finish reveals a touch of praline along with vanilla and glazed notes.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"An enticing version, with richly toasted brioche and roasted hazelnut on the nose transitioning to underscore flavors of ripe black cherry, crème de cassis, gingerbread, lime blossoms and crystallized honey. This is long, creamy and harmonious, integrating the expressive profile with vibrant acidity and a fine, satin-like texture. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged 2022. Drink now through 2029. 5,000 cases imported. – Alison Napjus (Nov 2024)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"A creamy and silky champagne that has notes of lemons, pastries and apple compote on the nose. It’s medium-bodied and layered with fine bubbles and tasty pastry notes on the fresh, balanced finish. Drink now. (Aug 2024)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The NV Brut Réserve, a combination of more than 60 different crus and 150 wines, evokes aromas of brioche, pastry, ripe orchard fruits, beeswax and spices. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and charming, it has a fleshy core of fruit, a pinpoint mousse and delicate acids, making it a charming, delicate Champagne. This blend consists of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier, with 50% vins de réserve, and was disgorged with a dosage of nine grams per liter. – Yohan Castaing (Oct 2024)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"A vibrant Champagne with a white fruit aroma offers a touch of maturity and richness that is typical of the Charles Heidsieck style. Red apples, citrus and toast give the wine a fine balance." - Roger Voss (Dec 2024)